Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Remarks on the US Warships' Unauthorized Entry into the Territorial Waters off China's Xisha Islands

2018-05-27

Q: According to reports, on May 27, USS Higgins and USS Antietam entered China's territorial waters off the Xisha Islands. What is China's comment?

A: On May 27, US Navy's warships USS Higgins and USS Antietam entered China's territorial waters off the Xisha Islands without the Chinese government's approval. The Chinese Navy conducted identification and verification of the US warships in accordance with the law, and warned them off.

The Xisha Islands are an inherent part of the Chinese territory. In accordance with the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, the Chinese government promulgated the baseline of the territorial sea off the Xisha Islands in 1996. The relevant law of the Chinese side has made explicit stipulations on foreign warships' entry into China's territorial sea.

The US Warships' unauthorized entry into China's territorial waters off the Xisha Islands again has violated the Chinese law and relevant international law, severely undermined China's sovereignty and put in jeopardy the peace, security and sound order in relevant waters. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the relevant act of the US, and strongly urges it to immediately stop such provocation that infringes upon China's sovereignty and threatens China's security. China will continue to take every necessary measure to safeguard its sovereignty and security.